Taking Inventory
Robert S. Folkenberg
Year end is inventory time, a time to evaluate progress and lay
plans for the future. As Christians we need to conduct a spiritual
inventory, to evaluate our personal spiritual growth. But what
questions does a Christian answer during this personal inventory?
Here are some suggestions: What is my highest priority? How do I
define success? Does God define it the same way? Where do I
spend my time? What topic most stimulates my interest?
Ellen White suggested an answer. "We should not make self the
center, and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be
saved. . . . Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk
and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in
Him."—Steps to Christ,
p. 71.
As a practical example, let me share with you the words penned
by a young Christian pastor in Zimbabwe that were found in his
office shortly after he was martyred for his faith.
"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy
Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made—I'm a disciple of His. I won't look
back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is re-
deemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished
with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promo-
tions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops,
recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith,
lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and
I labor with power.
"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is
narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable,
my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured
away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of
sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of
popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored
up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till
all know, and work till He stops me. And, when He comes for His
own, He will have no problem recognizing me . . . my banner will
be clear!"—Brennan Manning,
The Signature of Jesus.
Robert S. Folkenberg is president of the General Conference.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness
E-mail: gomission@compuserve.com
I 1 1